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Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Falls Far Short In Senate

Right Wing Intensifies Anti-Gay Election Year Strategy

Today’s procedural vote in the U.S. Senate on the so-called Federal Marriage Amendment fell far short of the 60 votes necessary to cut off debate on the amendment, demonstrating that the FMA’s backers are not remotely close to the 67 votes they would need to pass a constitutional amendment requiring states to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples.

GOP leaders’ cynical push for a vote they knew they would lose is evidence that the amendment strategy is driven by election-year politics, said People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas.

“Today’s vote prevents the defacing of the Constitution for now,” said Neas. “Unfortunately, it will not put an end to attacks on constitutional principles. This vote was engineered for short-term political gain by those who care little about the long-term harm they are causing to individuals and communities. This White House is all too willing to foment and exploit unfounded fears in hopes of distracting voters and energizing its political base. It is crass and destructive politics at its worst.”

Neas said Religious Right groups and their political allies have already been intensifying their rhetoric in anticipation of today’s vote. For more information, see www.pfaw.org.